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Former British mountain bike champion, Lee Craigie announced as Venture Trust ambassador

Venture Trust charity is delighted to announce former British Mountain Bike Champion and GB team member, Lee Craigie as its ambassador.

Speaking about Lee’s appointment, Chief Executive Officer, Amelia Morgan said, “Lee is a shining example of what hard work, determination and self-belief can achieve. As a sportswoman and role model, as well as founding member of The Adventure Syndicate, Lee is well placed to inspire young people who may not have had the best start in life. We are so pleased to have Lee on board.”

She continued, “Lee’s appointment is particularly timely, as we recently launched our CashBack Change Cycle programme for young disadvantaged adults. It is a personal development programme centred around vocational training to build a mountain bike. In fact, Lee attended our CashBack Change Cycle launch in September.”

Lee explains why she accepted the role of ambassador at Venture Trust. “The Venture Trust provides opportunities that change lives to some of our most in need members of society. Outdoor adventurous activity is the perfect vehicle for increasing levels of self-esteem, physical fitness and emotional resilience as well as offering participants the opportunity to develop meaningful, trusting relationships with others."

Lee didn’t start racing until she was 26. She raced XC Mountain Bike for Scotland in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and for Great Britain in the World and European Championships. In 2016 she became the UK 24 Hour Mountain Bike Champion before turning to endurance adventure racing. She has taken part in the prestigious Highland Trail 550, Cairngorm Loop and the 2,750 mile self-supported Tour Divide race as well as racing in the Alps, Pyrenees, Rockies and Andes.

Now retired from full time racing, Lee has turned her attention to inspiring the next generation of riders. She explains, “After retiring it felt important to give something back. I also wanted to challenge the sexism and elitism that exists in top end sporting competition. So I set up The Adventure Syndicate, a collective of female athletes who inspire, encourage and enable others in a collaborative, co-operative way to get the best out of themselves, not just win races.”

Things have come full circle, as many years previous, Lee worked for Venture Trust. “I graduated from Strathclyde University with a degree in Outdoor Education and worked as an outdoor instructor for years. When I became freelance in 2003, I worked for Venture Trust on their residential course in Applecross and, for the first time, was exposed to a team of outdoor instructors who felt the same way as I did about the personal and social development aspects of the profession. The experiences we were able to deliver to participants was second to none and I've no doubt we changed lives for the better as a result. I thoroughly support the work that they do and have personal experience of its value.”

Amelia concludes, “We are really excited about working with Lee on several opportunities throughout the next year, and hope that together we can really inspire young people to go on to do great things!”